Ch 3

Chapter 3: Before Giving Care

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Preventing Disease Transmission

Elements of infectious disease

Conditions for transmission:

A pathogen is present.

Enough of the pathogen is present to cause infection.

The pathogen passes through an entry site (eyes, mucus membranes, open cuts in skin).

A person is susceptible to the pathogen.

Direct and indirect contact transmission

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Preventing Disease Transmission

Give care to minimize risk.

Use standard precautions to prevent exposure.

Use good personal hygiene (hand washing).

Use personal protective equipment to avoid direct contact.

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Removing Disposable Gloves Partially remove the first glove by pinching the

glove at the wrist, being careful to touch only the glove’s outside surface.

Pull the glove toward the fingertips without completely removing it.

The glove is now partially inside out.

With the partially gloved hand, pinch the exterior of the second glove.

Pull the second glove toward the fingertips until it is inside out and then remove it completely.

Grasp both gloves with your free hand, touching only the clean interior surface of the glove.

Discard the gloves in an appropriate container.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Obtaining Consent to Give Care

Conscious adult

To get consent, you must tell the victim:

Who you are

Your level of training

The care you would like to give

Do not give care to a conscious victim who refuses it.

Unconsious adult

Assume implied consent.

Special consideration for infants and children

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Good Samaritan Laws

All states have enacted Good Samaritan laws to protect citizen responders who are willing to provide emergency care to injured or ill persons without accepting anything in return.

Care must reflect:

• Common sense

• Within the scope of training

• To prevent further injury and death

Liable if:

• Will-full or gross negligence

• Abandoned after care was initiated

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Reaching and Moving Victims

You should move a victim only when you can do so safely and when there is an immediate danger.

Before you act, consider the following limitations to ensure moving one or more victims quickly and safely:

Dangerous conditions at the scene

The size of the victim

Your physical ability

Whether others can help you

The victim’s condition

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Emergency Moves

Four common types of emergency moves are:

Walking assist.

Pack-strap carry.

Two-person seat carry.

Clothes drag.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITIONCopyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross

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Closing

Consider your own safety.

Protect yourself from disease transmission.

Check the scene for safety.

Obtain consent.

If you must move a victim, be sure to do so in a manner that is safe for you and will not cause the victim any further harm.

Questions?